FREEBIRD1

After a few months using my e bike with 20" fat tire wheels I've noticed a few quirky handling characteristics, They seem a lot less forgiving on the front end, and have a tendency to "snap" if turned too sharp, especially if they grab dirt or get loose. I've also experienced the back tire will kick out on even the slightest sand, or debris far more than larger wheels. Not sure if it's the wheel size or the geometry of these small wheel bikes, I definitely do not feel comfortable doing twisties or carving turns at speed with these. Not sure if anyone else has experienced this?

Doc_Wui

You might play with the air pressure to see how that affects handling. It might turn a little faster with higher pressure, but that also might detract from being able to ride on loose surfaces.

I own fat tire ebikes . The big one has 26" tires scares me on turns. I guess I would call it understeer. It picks its own path and it's a lot wider than what I want, I also have a little one with 20" fat tires. That one is better behaved on pavement. Too far from the beach, so never got to use them on sand.
.

linberl

BMXers and stunt riders use them so maybe you might find some good tips online from those folks.

2old

I think weight distribution needs attention with smaller bikes too. One of my worst off road accidents was on a too small bike where the front end washed out in a turn. If I were to construct another someday, I would be very careful when negotiating turns.

FREEBIRD1

That's the exact feeling of my small tire bike, the fat tire coupled with the small diameter is just plain squirrely.

chas58

It sounds like geometry to me. I've seen people easily do high speed stuff on a "bike friday" If its designed well, its really only the "rollover" that is different with small diameter tires.

FREEBIRD1

I've seen the bike friday's, the racer type look to have thin high pressure tires.